Mormon whistleblower: Church’s investment firm masquerades as charity | 60 Minutes

[@60minutes]

Click here for more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHvXdmqNntqbesk

[@ropro9817]

Do Scientology next! 🤠

[@GregorianRants]

I listened to the video. So no one stole anything? No one got rich? You mentioned the church spent $1 billion last year on charity and operations. Your video states that nine transactions occurred last year between Ensign Peak to the Church for its operations and charity work. The money is being used, just not being drained. How is saving money a scandal? I just saw a story of this church donating $5 million to the earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria. Not a single Mormon there I bet. Its not publicly traded and there was no crime mentioned here. A fine for filing LLCs incorrectly? The whistle blower gets 30% of taxes owed, but no taxes are owed and no crime was found by the SEC, so why is he still relevant and not the one with ill intentions?

[@stefanc5048]

@@GregorianRants you may have listened but chose to understand nothing. it's what you've been told to do from an early age, I get it. Drone

[@adambukowski189]

Flimsy arguments all around, grasping at straws. The fact that 60 Minutes decided to reveal the the whistle blower's possible profit motive at the last second of the story shows that they are just as concerned about optics as the church is.

[@EASTBOUND96795]

@stefan c He who is without sin, cast the first stone. I won't be swayed to believe lying news reporters against my church THAT easily. Sheesh. It's not illegal to use means of storing the Lords money away from prying eyes and greedy hands of financial institutions and over reaching governments. The money is not being used in any nefarious ways, in fact they even said that the money is just sitting in the account. The companies that the church "bailed out" are owned by the church and was done to lift up the businesses during the corrupt recession of the government. Not even in the slightest is this illegal in any way. Satan is deceiving, cunning and sly and weak faith will change your heart. The media tries to twist this into a WORLDY problem. The Lord has infinite knowledge and wisdom that surpasses any human understanding. Trust in the Lord with ALL THINE HEART lean not unto your own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they path.

[@joaopetter9908]

Kudos to the journalist, very calm, collected and sharp with the questions. I love how respectful she kept the tone of the interview.

[@GPWGP]

So what..

[@_mids]

@@GPWGP got nothing nice to say try keeping to yourself 👍🏼

[@theChaseGroup]

I saw her as a little slimy myself. Asking questions she knows no nonprofit should answer and then pushing with more of the same questions.

[@paladro]

@@theChaseGroup bruh, that's what this entire story is about... if she took them at their word, then they would still be cheating the system, hiding behind their bs 'faith' and cashing in. after this interview and the SEC investigation they can't hide in the shadow behind their faith based lies.

[@bl8388]

@@GPWGP It's called good journalism. Very little of that nowadays so it's nice when it happens.

[@spaz-egotthatlongmoney3112]

As a former Mormon with much of my family still being members, I can confidently say 99.9% of Mormons who see this could not possibly care less.

[@patriciatimmerman2625]

That is the sad truth.

[@chrispotter]

Yes thankyou.

[@tutttutt9558]

@@Khig494 what part is bogus?

[@jacobfinder7476]

Crooks beget crooks...

[@Khig494]

Because he said none of the money comes out and then the other guy said 9 transactions were paid out this past year

[@TimeBucks]

Thank you for reporting this

[@TuhinJessore-ck5fi]

Well

[@MrAB-mo3yl]

Well

[@pujaslife3666]

Hi

[@subhashchandra2008]

Good

[@pinkiedas9567]

Hi

[@nacarreira777]

Churches....ALL churches should be monitored. Tax free status should come with some responsibility. Kudos to David for bringing this to light.

[@ManyfiresWoman]

Agreed.

[@moorliam]

If you have tax exempt status, you should have 100% financial transparency. Tax exempt status is a privilege and not a right.

[@calvinhoward3808]

Religion doesn't follow petty human-made rules. They're exempt from practically any law they want to be.

[@michaeljohnson5237]

​@@calvinhoward3808 yeah like pedophilia.

[@dankdizzl3546]

Wrong. It's is a right. It's clearly written in the Constitution. Anyway. Income tax is theft. Have a nice day.

[@swimfan6292]

This is what all non profits are doing. Non profit= make a killing and it's different from Not-For-profit.. many people have no idea there's a difference between the two and the terms often get used interchangeably because of the confusion or misconception

[@a.walters123]

Absolutely. Every church should have to prove that they use what they would have paid in taxes, towards charities and humanitarian causes. The Mormon church is likely barely spending 1/5 of what they’d be taxed on charity.

[@emilywest4522]

Props to this guy. For resigning, informing the IRS and having the courage to do this interview.

[@123basalt]

Getting a healthy 11% of any money found if the church owes, is a ripe incentive, isn’t it? Remember if the church owes money for just keeping or investing the money, is this wrong if the purpose is to help those in time of need? Which it does consistently.

[@daviderwin9964]

Yep I’m sure that 11% had nothing to do with it, what a loser

[@merricat3025]

Lets hope members stop tithing their money and look into the history of this 'church'. Its history is built on cons and crimes.

[@Lunatic4Bizcas]

@@123basalt : Negligible amount of money appropriated to charity when pitted against the backdrop of the immense assets and holdings the church is privileged to. If you paid any attention to this segment, you'd realize that funds appropriated for charity haven't been used for charitable endeavors and instead redirected those funds toward its diversified portfolio. In case you also weren't aware, the church is a global institution and the economic crisis that the presiding bishop is alluding to is occurring NOW and will only intensify. How long will 'the church' have to wait for those very dark and troubled economic times to transpire ?

[@toddolson573]

The IRS - they are as crooked if not more. Cracking the Code the Fascinating Truth About Taxation In America This is where the truth and lies separate

[@kylek9432]

Perhaps ALL churches should be required to file the same disclosures as all other non-profits.

[@takenoshortcuts]

Any entity making money should be treating the same. It's always the rich (and therefor powerful) who get the loopholes - whether individual, corporate, non profit, or religious.

[@KushDragon420]

Not maybe. Defintely. Churches are some of the most corrupt orginizations in the world and have been for almost 3000 years now

[@halclayton3048]

This cult keeps records like nobody's business. Believe me!

[@halclayton3048]

@@gms5089 This cult is a money vacuum. It has broken off into sects due to additional perversions of interpretation. This entity should be forced to pay the taxes as all profitable organizations do. Period. Ten percent sounds fair enough. What you think? 😉

[@Ulysses.S.Grant.For.The.Union.]

And pay taxes. But they don’t because there is no separation of church and state. In Utah Mormon squares run that state. Laws are passed in accordance with their teachings. I moved from Utah because Mormons are whacko, or about half of them are.

I have been a member of this church for 25 years, and throughout my life I have donated 10% of my income to the church as a form of gratitude to God for the blessings I have received. During all these years I have served in various leadership positions in the church here in Brazil. Many times I was responsible for depositing the tithes received every Sunday in the bank. What did I see during these 25 years of experience? I saw many people being helped by the church every week - the church pays rent, medicine, and food for many, many people here in Brazil. There are churches where I served that received 4,000 reais in tithes on a Sunday, and helped more than 5,000 reais needy people, that is, more came out than came in. My mother-in-law's family has already received help from the church, my wife's uncle was hospitalized because he is addicted to drugs, and the church paid for the hospitalization, the church helps thousands of people in need, and because I see this, I feel even more confident in paying my tithe. There are no limits to the church's aid fund, it even paid for the bariatric surgery for the wife of a friend of mine. What Christian church does this? This is what I see from here.

[@ineedoff1]

Great comment 🙏

[@hernandezhernandez3764]

Its feels good to know about where you'r money it's going to Hell!! How can trust people with Money!!🤣🤣🤣😎

[@Decision_Justice]

The Amish and Mennonite Churches do all of that and more.

@user-qq4st5yz8e I´m being honest. The fact you believe it to be fake shows how good this church is, you think it´s too good to be true, but it´s true.

@@hernandezhernandez3764 when you say that we can´t trust people with money, does that include yourself? shouldn´t anyone trust you with money? I believe some people deserve our trust and are honest and reliable, don't you?

[@TheBrokerLife]

I’m a real estate broker in Las Vegas and I see this all the time. Churches buy land all over Vegas and only purchase to gain equity then sell. It’s just a tax loophole.

[@edwardknight8577]

Via 1031 exchange

[@ts5272]

Ger what a shock considering what the biggest "church" in Las Vegas is!

[@TheBrokerLife]

@@ts5272 “churches” buy in every state in the country and avoid taxes every day. Ask any land broker that regularly researches the ownership of land in their area.

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

@@TheBrokerLife Yes, it's been happening in the Midwest for a long time

[@Iquey]

2 of pentacles. Juggling assets. Buy secular property to cash in on speculation , use profits to build more religious properties. 100 billion for a Mormon space station? Synthetic celestial kingdom?

[@juliansecomb3703]

A church is running a for-profit mall tax-free (as well as a ton of other companies). How are regular businesses supposed to compete with a tax-exempt organization. This is blatantly illegal.

[@patrickmcfarland5907]

Businesses make a profit which is paid to shareholders. Who profits from church funds?

[@Tiwack01]

​@@patrickmcfarland5907 the people running the church and hiding all the wealth?

[@fjackson4382]

@@patrickmcfarland5907 The Church Executives, aka preachers/clergy. You thought you asked some gotcha question, Guess again.

[@juliansecomb3703]

@@patrickmcfarland5907 Ensign Peak Advisors divvies it up to the high ranking Church members and skims some off for themselves. I go to this mall several times a week. There are a couple guys there "working" on the same escalator every day. The Church has many ways to covertly get money to the right people.

[@dictumfactum7784]

We should all be churches to me.

[@JohnAuHermes]

We need more journalist like her!!! Calm, professional, and actually asking thoughtful questions.

[@jimbarrofficial]

That's more the producers' writing and editing cadence than the presenter's. 60M also has an agenda like any other legacy media institution these days; a hit piece on Mormons is always a good choice to generate ad revenue. For decades people have been suspect of the LDS church's finances. I'm not for or against Mormons - but the left-leaning media in conjunction with their gov't overlords would love to put religion in general out of business - especially rich religions with plenty of potential tax dollars to fund the big gov't machine.

[@mindeloman]

I don't think she was asking hard enough questions. She should've really drilled that church official on how the Mormon church proclaims to be the only true church of Jesus and and He is at the head of it, and that its leaders are literal prophets and apostles that do as directed by Him; then why did New Testament Jesus teach to give all riches away to the poor and afflicted but Mormon Jesus wants them to save up a treasure worthy of Smaug? The two Jesuses are at odds with each other, for them to proclaim to be a Christian church and believe in the bible.

[@dustyking8851]

It sounds like the old 60 Minutes.

[@robertweisgerber8440]

Yes Not like Liesle Sthal. Attack journalists

[@zionmama150]

This is the same guy that had to eat his words within MONTHS after the Pandemic shut down everyone. He was claiming they were “stockpiling” but then the shutdown happened and all that money has been used in Billions of dollars of relief for all over the world. Sheesh, accuse Joseph for saving Egypt in a hard time… he’s trying to punish the Church for being good financial stewards and having a savings account…

[@jexodustalks]

As a Christian, I'll never understand how there isn't a check and balance system of transparency for members ro monitor since they're tax exempt. The members must hold the churches accountable so men aren't tempted to do these things.

[@phav1832]

The Church does hire outside auditors to come in constantly and make sure all is copacetic. True.

[@FFM115]

In Mormonism they are taught that the leaders are Prophets of God so they trust them 100% and therein lies the danger

[@jonbaker476]

@@phav1832 apparently that doesn't work very well

[@Seriously...576]

​@@FFM115 Please call it the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There is no such thing as Mormonism or Mormon Church. It was a nickname of the Church.

[@FFM115]

@@Seriously...576 is that why the church spent millions of dollars on marketing campaigns to promote the brand name Mormon? Or you forgot about “ I am a Mormon” and “ Meet the Mormons “ those marketing campaigns were very costly, just the Billboard on Times Square was over a million dollars to run the slogan “ Meet the Mormons” maybe Thomas S Monson was under Satan’s influence then.🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@chrism3790]

Every time an organization can abuse a privilege that isn't supposed to be abused, it will. Every. Single. Time. The more "moral" the organization, the worse it gets.

[@Finny869]

I mean is this really hard to see coming? The guy who founded the church found a gold bible? Of course that church is a scam lol Well, all churches are a scam, but another time and another comment.

[@SumTingWong1482]

Unfortunately, you’re exactly right. Humans absolutely cannot resist the opportunity to “take a little” for themselves.

[@AIRPORT-mc2ys]

TUAM.

[@msf2126]

@@SumTingWong1482 a little ? this is talking a hundred billion ... this is possible the biggest case of fleecing by a religious organisation EVER

[@donnayeager2703]

So true.

[@Dssan0905]

I didn’t realize the IRS had gray areas, at least for regular people…seems like corporations and mega-churches get the privilege

[@dreamcatcher5502]

Yeah, no grey areas for poor American citizens !! 🙄

[@wesleycruz1597]

Grey area's ?The IRS is a corruption platform for government officials.....Just look at the exemptions from investigation let alone the Biden crime family issues. Remember Louis Lerner and the tea party hit jobs by the IRS. They are political hit men and have a one sided policy to take down anyone they want or need too. The IRS is a weapon to be used against the American populace! WAKE UP!

[@TwiztidPain]

money talks, criminal walks. Those who have money, can pretty much grow it and don't get penalized.

[@waynedexter]

Keep in mind that the GOP wants to defund the IRS.

[@TheGekko64]

Yep..he even said the "political risk is so great" and it comes "with real danger" if we investigated them...unbelievable!

[@stevenseltzer3589]

I've been saying this for years. What to lower the national debt? Tax the church. Tax the lobbyists and politicians.

[@RobbinPorter]

Tax sports also.

[@andmoreagain5323]

the 1%?

[@AChickandaDuck]

100%

[@InfoDisco]

This is such a short-sighted opinion. Have you perhaps considered the rights that churches would gain if they were taxed? Such as, being able to host political rallies? Probably not. I do, however, agree that all religions buildings and accounts should be searchable, transparent, etc.

[@chadsedrick7446]

That cute you think the government would actually use those funds to lower the national debt. Th government has no interest in lowering the national debt. All they do is continue to grow it.

[@chumark54]

When you're asked to be transparent and you say you can't, that's the telltale sign of CORRUPTION--especially when it involves $ and charity.

[@Seriously...576]

Since it's a Church, I don't think it has to be transparent to the government. It is transparent to the members.

[@daniel-a-Lamanite]

The leadership of the Church is accountable only to he whom the church is named after -- Jesus Christ. We pay tithing because it is a commandment (see Malachi 3:8-9) a commandment with a blessing and promise (verses 10-12). The leadership of the church follows guidance given by Christ in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-27) that when Christ returns, they will present the "talents" they have been entrusted with, with interest.

[@chumark54]

@@daniel-a-Lamanite sure, the members pay tithing to be faithful, they're not the ones corrupted. I used to pay full tithing too, for many years. Asking for tithing might not be corrupted either, as long as the donation is used on charity and is transparent. The key is HOW THEY USE THE MONEY, AND IF IT IS TRANSPARENT.

[@cliftongaither6642]

​@@daniel-a-Lamanitesure, whatever you say.

[@GeekOwtLowd]

@@chumark54 Just spending the money to spend it is not "charity". The church is saving it's money. Exactly what it preaches. Live beneath your means and save. The church makes like 7 billion a year, and operates on like 6 billion. And doesn't hand out the rest to the leadership... but saves it. Literally NO SCANDAL at all. Nothing unethical.

[@Jose_CitizenoftheWorld]

“We never looked at it as a percentage, we looked as it needs” Says the church who say to give 10%

[@Lunatic4Bizcas]

Simply stop paying those tithes. I'm sure an increasing percentage of members are doing just that. It's impossible to cover the sun with your thumb.

[@RussiaIsARiddle778]

No, that’s where you are showing you don’t know why members of ALL a Christian faiths pay 10% to their Church. As a Baptist I was taught as a child that this is the amount God has asked back from us. He gives us everything and only expects 10% back to build the kingdom. I can tell you from experience, you won’t miss the 10% no matter what your age or income level.❤

[@quinteguiffre8116]

@@RussiaIsARiddle778 I agree that we should give. I do not understand so many rich people with family members sick or struggling, they won’t help. However, they will give “THE CHURCH” millions for a tax break

[@tobin8354]

You can be a Buddhist and go to the temple and they don’t ask for a dime…but as a courtesy, it would be nice for you to drop a donation! They don’t require 10% of your income

[@quinteguiffre8116]

@@tobin8354 when I was at the university of Florida the Hare Krishnas used to feed us hot food from their organic garden. My friends and I would meet and eat at the library lawns while they meditated. We would give them our change 💓 honestly so sweet

[@racheltrammell7843]

Thank goodness that someone was brave enough to report it. Reason why churches should have to be transparent with their money.

[@nisamsnjesko]

Brave enough to report it... And get 30% of the payout

[@VINTAGE1959]

Which the Roman Catholic church is transparent with our money

[@s.terris9537]

Not only churches, but stated non-profit organizations such as the NFL.

[@jodymullarkey7883]

​@@nisamsnjesko wouldn't that be nice 😂🎉

[@alitavictory9195]

Why you have to looks somebody else pockets.. brave!? He will get 30% that’s all what he wants ..

[@cheddargoldfishcrakers4591]

It’s so weird to me that non-profits don’t have to disclose financial info. Like isn’t that how money gets misappropriated in the first place?

[@γένεσις-ο9ψ]

That's why it's a church on EVERY street corner, big business.

[@ralphangel561]

Absolutely. That's where corruption begins

[@MichaelLasotaMusic]

It goes to the drug trade probably. Then they can get saved by the church.

[@sisterryan5720]

​@@γένεσις-ο9ψ and Jesus HATES IT

[@tylershepard4269]

Organized religion defrauding their followers and the taxpayers? Sadly I’m not surprised to hear this. This man deserves a lot of credit for doing the right thing. He likely destroyed his career in the process. That takes a lot of guts. The people who are doing the right thing do give me hope.

[@MM-et8le]

He is very selfish. His motivation is 30% from the IRS if the Church owes taxes.

[@toriesuejacobson8041]

Myopic.

[@mallorywoods3653]

Who says anything about fraud? This is nothing but a smear campaign.

[@mallorywoods3653]

@@MM-et8leThe church don’t owe a dime.

[@jonbaker476]

@tevita88 Jesus literally condemned the saducees for hoarding money up in their coffers and commanded his followers to give everything they own to the poor and needy

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

It infuriates me to think the church gets a pass because of potential political fallout. The IRS will audit me all day everyday because I'm nobody. That is wrong.

[@icedragon1000]

That is what they want you to think, because it is an anti-religious propaganda.

[@georgemiller1307]

Billion Dollar Cult 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️ Poor members got doobed

[@jonathandevore1112]

Have you ever been audited? Are you currently being audited everyday all day?

[@camerondavis8356]

Start a religion and be tax exempt

[@antmagor]

@@jonathandevore1112 it was a figure of speech and I think you know that. The Mormon church should not have tax exempt status as they are obviously abusing it as a means to personally enrich themselves. That’s it, nothing more, full stop.

[@kaiw1182]

$5 million dollar fine? That’s pocket change to them. Why don’t they give fines that will actually make organizations/companies think twice before breaking the law or doing shady stuff.

[@republicandan]

Because citations should not be based on resources

[@pickledragonrebel]

Take away their ridiculous tax status

[@123basalt]

This is do hard to hear how people fall gullible to the press, even a show like 60 minutes which I normally really enjoy and appreciate. Many do not understand the full situation, nor see both sides which the media rarely does. Some guy whose purpose we don’t know, other than to find out where the church is keeping a certain amount of money, and who will stand to make millions if not a billion if the church is found culpable and guilty. But we don’t know the whole story yet, so we narrow ourselves to thinking the worst possible motives and outcomes. What do you know about the church and its character of the millions of people who volunteer time and money and effort into a belief system which teaches charity and honesty. Most today think all churches are bad and therefore become overly critical. I have been teaching critical thinking for years in the college system, realizing that it takes an intelligent person to not make rash decisions, but to look carefully at both sides. For instance, should the church be more clear about the amount of money that it’s making? It probably should as I understand it or if it can. Somethings are hard to determine because it changes so much and quickly, just like knowing the sum Apple is making or worth. It changes on a daily basis, but I believe in the character of the church, it’s people and leadership. It is not a ridiculous church, but is full of comforting, hopeful and precious beliefs. I studied many beliefs before I joined this church, What if it is Christ’s church? What would you say then accuse it of dark and nefarious design? I think there’s a reason why the church wasn’t clear about how much money it presently has. It is growing rapidly. Should not government with all its tax base do the same? But, it isn’t. There are many in governments who are absolutely crooked and making tremendously wrong decisions. Our church, the LDS church, is blessed with money flowing because the members do not get paid for the work they do for the church and we do much service work. We spend our lives doing that, so why shouldn’t we be blessed? It is the Lord’s church. The people are not perfect, but its doctrines are, even when doctrines evolve and change upward. Not all things should stay the same. We are here to learn and grow, and to correct ourselves. If the church is committing a wrong doing, it will correct that error.

[@mariaelenaballera7591]

What if it doesn't? This expose tells that already

[@prettycoolguy2850]

@@123basalt stop

[@graceocean8323]

It was a very bad decision to remove the Glass-Steagall Act in the late 1990s, which led to the spectacular failure of huge banks during the financial crisis of 2007-2008. To prevent another disaster, Dodd-Frank and this statute both need to be reestablished right away. What happened with SVB is only the beginning of what will happen if nothing is done to address the current situation.

[@trazzpalmer3199]

In my opinion, SVB was attempting to restructure their bond portfolio, which involved selling their low-yielding bonds despite the potential loss, and compensating for it by buying higher-interest-rate bonds on the open market.

[@mcginnnavraj4201]

@@trazzpalmer3199 Only a good FA will be enough to guide you through the current market volatility. I've been speaking with an advisor for a while now, primarily because I don't have the necessary expertise or stamina to handle these recurrent market conditions. The fact that I made over $220K during this downturn proved that there is more to the market than the typical person is aware of. The greatest course of action right now is to have an investing consultant, especially for people who are nearing retirement.

[@hannahdonald9071]

@@mcginnnavraj4201 We’re only just an information away from amassing wealth, I know a lot of folks that made fortunes from the Dotcom crash as well as the 08’ crash and I’ve been looking into similar opportunities in this present market, could this coach that guides you help?

[@mcginnnavraj4201]

My Financial Advisor is JEANNE LYNN WOLF. I found her on a CNBC interview where she was featured and reached out to her afterwards. She has since provide entry and exit points on the securities I focus on. You can run a quick online research with her name if you care for supervision. I basically follow her market moves and haven’t regretted doing so.

[@hannahdonald9071]

@@mcginnnavraj4201 She appears to be a true authority in her profession. I looked her up online and found her website, which I browsed and went through to learn more about her credentials, academic background, and career. She owes me a fiduciary duty to act in my best interests. I set up an appointment to use her services.

[@ForGlory1]

" It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:13

[@BrianTerrill]

No one stole anyone's money

[@Noadvantage246]

The Bible clearly states that tithes is for God, anyone misappropriating such funds or using them for anything other than doing God’s will here on earth is stealing from the house of God. Furthermore they’re stealing from their members when they’re tithing in good faith believing the money is going towards good causes when it’s really just being hoarded in a shadow hedge fund.

[@daniel-a-Lamanite]

According to Malachi, 10% of our income is not even ours, it belongs to God. (Malachi 3:8) The ancient law of tithing is linked to the eternal principle of abundance. Those who pay tithing from the heart, as Abel the son of Adam did, will experience abundance and prosperity not just in this life but for the eternities. It's a beautiful thing! But for those who don't understand, and don't seek to understand, it leads to jealousy and bitter feelings, that's what happened to Cain (see Genesis 4). As a faithful tithe payer, frankly, what happens to the money once it leaves my hands is non of my business, it's not my problem. That is now the problem of the Council Of Disposition Of Tithes' problem. I am satisfied that the leadership of the church has followed Jesus Christ's guidance as set forth in the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25:14-31). They have done well in putting the Lord's money to the exchangers, that when He comes they will turn over the moneys with usury.

[@OrangeTree253]

Love this! Thank you!

[@chay516]

@@BrianTerrillit definitely is stealing when you take someone’s money and don’t do with it what you say. Is it illegal no, no it’s not! Go read the Gospel of John friend! What did he do to the Pharisees in the Temple in Jerusalem! Jesus did it twice. First time at Passover.

[@lisabrown7959]

Much admiration for this man’s morality and bravery in speaking out..

[@budoboy]

I'm sure he'll be donating his 30% whistle blower payout then

[@tmn8547]

I agree. When someone speaks out about the wrongs of companies, usually they are blackballed. It’s why so many low wage workers want to speak out but don’t. They need the job.

[@MrRedsi]

TBH he seems rehearsed and not sincere. IDK

[@FFM115]

@@budoboy I don’t believe your mad at him and not at the church for committing fraud, lying, deceiving and hoarding billions from the tithe of the poor. You need to adjust your moral compass.

[@JadyGrudd]

snitch. kinda makes it easier to snitch when they call you whistleblower. same betrayal of trust applies

[@humbledriver2536]

Every company needs a David Nielsen.. Integrity is critical.

[@Rejectsocialism]

Corruption is everywhere.

[@waynedexter]

Greed and being able to hoard unconscionable wealth, and the system that facilitates these things happening is the problem. The every once in the blue moon David Nielsen won’t remotely solve this.

[@sirij8784]

His intentions are pure but he even says he doesn't have all the information which is why he most likely he's not going to win his case. He only has a part of the information. Plus im sure the 30% whistleblower reward encouraged him to report.

[@theChaseGroup]

There are no "pure" intentions when there are rewards worth millions just for blowing your whistle.

[@artstrology]

Every church needs to forego their tax exempt status. It is voluntary. Show us the amount spent on charity and get tax relief only for that.

[@ReadIcculus93]

150 Billion dollars of tax free money and he says with a smile and a nod "Yea we have significant resources." These kind of people is what is wrong with this world.

[@theoptimist9605]

He’s actually a wonderful guy. Stop thinking the worst about everyone. Best wishes

[@jacktsai7165]

@Lovestyle Farms The whole world saw it, but life will move on so that's why sad time.

[@bonsense7004]

I should say: his conscience made him to whistle blow. The leaders in this religious construct are the crooks.

[@louisejones5773]

​@@theoptimist9605 how do you know? Do you know Him personally?

[@chrism3790]

@@theoptimist9605 He certainly talks like a wonderful guy, worth a few billion dollars.

[@harriethunter8910]

Way to go David Nielsen. You are a good person for exposing this cult.

[@braykers2226]

Not a cult

[@harriethunter8910]

Well I and millions of others think it is. I have read the book of mormon and been to some of their church services. They are nice people with strange ideas. Just saying. Cheers@@braykers2226

[@jeffs4483]

@@harriethunter8910 Ex member here. Yes, it's a Cult.

[@maxward1660]

@@jeffs4483if it was a cult it would have died with Joseph Smith.

[@jeffs4483]

@@maxward1660 LDS is a successful Cult. That's about it

[@gordon3186]

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." -- Matthew 6:19,20 Tax the accumulated assets of religion.

[@jasonschlierman412]

Nehemiah 10: 37-38 “And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.” Tithing has always been a commandment. It takes money to run a church.

[@JYDIVISN]

@@jasonschlierman412 The new testament is supposed to supersede the old.

[@gordon3186]

@@jasonschlierman412 - Ongoing expenditures and assets are two entirely different things.

[@jamesnash6101]

No.... I think a great litigation strategy would be to see the extremes that they will go to collect that 10%. Let's say that 30% of the members stop paying. Now they need to document the exact actions of the tithing collection branch of this organization. There could be 50% who pay, and then stop paying, and then start paying and then stop, for let's say four months. And then the other half, stop paying indefinitely. What you are building is a documented legal case against this organization. But there must be a preplanned course of action. And again, each and every reaction must be documented. And then, class action lawsuits. Collusion: Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.

[@spaceforce7031]

If only Mormons would pick up the Bible every once in awhile like the Christians they claim to be.

[@Lia2222]

Imagine how many children, families could be fed/helped with all that money!!!

[@stephendre2902]

Imagine if the homeless could sleep in churches

[@marvinmartin4692]

God forbid!

[@sirij8784]

I don't think people know this but if anybody is struggling with housing, food, etc. Go talk to your local LDS church bishop. They will help you. Doesn't matter if you are a member or not.

[@robertwilber1909]

@@sirij8784 They are often first on disaster scenes to provide aid.

[@peaceloveharmony7213]

And the homeless. ✌🏼

[@randyjordan5521]

At the six minute mark of this video, the church's financial spokesman says that "As a Christian church, we believe that someday, Christ will return. But that's not why we have those resources. It's for the continuing operation and for the future." Here's what Christ taught on that subject: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The LDS church's heart is in its money. It's a money-grubbing org just like Scientology is.

[@Warden033]

Id love to get a chance alone with that man. See how long that smirk remains.

[@KareenKircher]

I thought of the exact same verse when he said that. “Christian” leaders like that thrive on people not reading and studying the Bible for themselves.

[@brainstem2023]

Perhaps consider doing some actual research into the church before making such judgments. If you understood the history of the church and how much effort has been put into trying to destroy it, perhaps you'd come to a somewhat different conclusion.

[@randyjordan5521]

@@brainstem2023 LOL. There aren't 100 people alive who are better versed in Mormon history than I. Maybe this will teach you some of Mormon history that the church has never taught you: "At the request of a committee of the citizens of Ray County, I make the following statement in relation to the recent movements, plans & intentions of the Mormons in the counties of Caldwell & Daviess. "Shortly after the settlement of the difficulties at De Witt in Carroll County, a call was made up by the Mormons at Far West in Caldwell County for volunteers to go to Daviess County, to disperse the mob as they said. On the day before this Joseph Smith the prophet in which he said that all the Mormons who refused to take up arms, if necessary in difficulties with the citizens, should be shot, or otherwise put to death. And as I was there with my family I thought it most prudent to go, and did go with my wagon, as the driver. "We marched to Adamondeoman and found no troops or mob in Daviess County. Scouting parties frequently went out & brought in intelligence that they had seen from three to five men. We got to Diamon on Tuesday evening, & on the next day a company of about eighty of the Mormons, commanded by a man fictictiously named Captain Fearnot, marched to Gallatin. They returned and said they had run off from Gallatin twenty or thirty men and had taken Gallatin, had taken one prisoner and another had joined the company. I afterwards learned from the Mormons that they had burned Gallatin, and that it was done by the aforesaid company that marched there. The Mormons informed me that they had hauled away all the goods from the store in Gallatin, and deposited them at the Bishop’s storehouses at Adam on diahmon... "The same evening a number of footmen came up from the direction of Millport, laden with property which, I was informed, consisted of beds, clocks & other household furniture. The same night, I think, about three wagons were dispatched for about forty bee gums, and the next day saw several gums where they were splitting them up & taking the honey & burning the gums, in which business of taking out the honey, but few were engaged for fear, as they said, they would be called on as witnesses against them... "During the same time, a company called the fur company was sent out to bring in fat hogs & cattle, calling the hogs “bears” and the cattle “buffaloe.” They brought in at one time seven cattle and at another time, four or five belonging to the people of Daviess... "They have among them a company consisting of all that are considered true Mormons, called the Danites, who have taken an oath to support the heads of the church in all things that they say or do, whether right or wrong. Many, however, of this band are much dissatisfied with this oath as being against moral and religious principles. On Saturday last, I am informed by the Mormons, they had a meeting at Far West at which they appointed a company of twelve, by the name of the destruction company, for the purpose of burning & destroying, and that if the people of Buncombe came to do mischief upon the people of Caldwell & committed depredations on the Mormons, they were to burn Buncombe & if the people of Clay & Ray made any movement against them, this destroying company was to burn Liberty & Richmond. This burning was to be done secretly by going as incendiaries. At the same meeting I was informed they passed a decree that no Mormon dissenter should leave Caldwell County alive, & that such as attempted to do it should be shot down & sent to tell their tale in eternity. In a conversation between Doct. Avard & other Mormons, said Avard proposed to start a pestilence among the gentiles, as he called them, by poisoning their corn, fruit &c and saying it was the work of the Lord. And said Avard advocated lying for the support of their religion, & said it was no harm to lie for the Lord. "The plan of said Smith, the prophet, is to take the State, & he professes to his people to intend taking the U.S. & ultimately the whole world. This is the belief of the Church & my own opinion of the prophet’s plans & intentions." ---Legal affidavit of Thomas B. Marsh, Richmond, Mo., October 24th 1838.

[@randyjordan5521]

@@brainstem2023 Here's some more info about those pious, peaceful, pacifist 19th century Mormons and their holy prophet Joseph Smith: "When we first went to Daviess [County], I understood the object was to be to drive out the mob, if one should be collected there; but when we got there, WE FOUND NONE. I then learned, the object was, from those who were actively engaged in the matter, to DRIVE OUT ALL THE CITIZENS OF DAVIESS AND GET POSSESSION OF THEIR PROPERTY." (Testimony of John Cleminson, "Senate Document 189.") "The Danites were taught to take from the Gentiles and consecrate to the Church. Nearly every person who testified at the trial against the Mormon leaders made mention of this fact. John Clemenson stated that 'it was frequently observed among the troops at Diahman that the time had come when the riches of the Gentiles should be consecrated to the Saints.' Jeremiah Myers testified that 'the consecrated property...was dealt out to those in need' by Bishop Vinson Knight." (Leland Gentry, "A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Northern Missouri," p. 385-387.) "Danites struck at Gallatin and two other towns, Millport and Grinding Fork. The three onslaughts occurred simultaneously and had a crushing impact on the Missourians who were unaccustomed to Mormon resistance. When Captains Lyman Wight, David W. Patten, and Seymour Brunson rode into Far West at the head of their companies, the sight of wagonloads of plunder was offensive to a number of less aggressively inclined Saints. That night they gathered their families together and abandoned the settlement. Among the defectors were two of Joseph's most trusted followers, Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde, both members of the Council of Twelve Apostles. The two men fled to nearby Richmond and blurted out everything they knew." ("Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder," Harold Schindler, p. 54.) "The Mormons were two hundred and fifty men by the time they reached Daviess County...The bulk of the forces went out in search of the gentile opposition. They marched through three settlements, including Gallatin, repaying the Missourians in kind, looting and firing stores, homes, and barns, before their anger spent itself.....When they returned with their loot, many of their own people were appalled and frightened. Thomas B. Marsh, Brigham Young's superior as President of the Twelve, let it be known that he did not approve such retaliation, and he left the church." ("Kingdom of the Saints", Ray B. West, p. 86.) "There was much mysterious conversation in camps, as to plundering, and house-burning; so much so, that I had my own notions about it; and, on one occasion, I spoke to Mr. Smith, Jr., in the house, and told him that this course of burning houses and plundering, by the Mormon troops, would ruin us; that it could not be kept hid, and would bring the force of the state upon us; that houses would be searched, and stolen property found. Smith replied to me, in a pretty rough manner, to keep still; that I should say nothing about it; that it would discourage the men...I saw a great deal of plunder and bee-steads brought into camp; and I saw many persons, for many days, taking the honey out of them; I understood this property and plunder were placed into the hands of the bishop at Diahmon....The general teachings of the presidency were, that the kingdom they were setting up was a temporal kingdom...that the time had come when this kingdom was to be set up by forcible means, if necessary. It was taught, that the time had come when the riches of the Gentiles were to be consecrated to the true Israel." (Testimony of George M. Hinkle, "Senate Document 189".) "Smith replied, the time had come when he should resist all law...I heard J. Smith remark, there was a store at Gallatin, and a grocery at Millport; and in the morning after the conversation between Smith and Wight about resisting the law, a plan of operations was agreed on, which was: that Captain Fearnaught, who was present, should take a company of 100 men, or more, and go to Gallatin, and take it that day; to take the goods out of Gallatin, bring them to Diahmon, and burn the store...On the same day, in the evening, I saw both these companies return; the foot company had some plunder..." (Testimony of WW Phelps, "Senate Document 189") "After they had driven us and our families, they commenced a difficulty in Daviess County, adjoining this county, in which they began to rob and burn houses, etc. etc., took honey which they, (the Mormons) call sweet oil, and hogs which they call bear, and cattle which they called buffalo. Thus they would justify themselves by saying, "We are the people of God, and all things are God's; therefore, they are ours." (John Whitmer's "History of the Church") "As the [stolen] property was brought in, there was a general shout of hurrah, and waving of hats, by those in camp. I heard Dimick Huntington, one of the troops, tell in camp that the mob had burned the storehouse in Gallatin, but that the Mormons had hauled off the goods; and, also, that the mob were burning some Mormon houses. I looked at him as though I did not believe it, and he stooped down to me (being on his horse) and whispered to me that it was Captain [Seymour] Brunson who had gone with twenty men to the Grindstone Fork, who was burning those houses. The goods taken in Gallatin were generally understood in camp to have been deposited with the bishop, as consecrated property." (Testimony of Reed Peck, "Senate Document 189").

[@frittandy]

Thank you "60 minutes" for this video. It will be very useful for the Italian members of the church. Thanks again.

[@eclipse-sh1qmZ3mOtcua]

Please google "SEC" and "Ensign Peak Advisors" and find the pdf of the SEC Report detailing the Fraud the First Presidency deliberately concocted to DECEIVE us and the U.S. Govt. 9 pages, well worth the read. Channel "Mormon Discussions" has a video; an attorney walks us through the report.

[@Cupcakerehab]

Thank you for coming forward. I was raised a Mormon but left at 19 years old.

[@Itsfalcon9]

❤ happy for you

[@danielh1830]

They don't care.

[@aladyknight]

So that means this is true?

[@aidankeller1717]

Sounds like u had a very weak testimony.

[@jisezer]

​@@aidankeller1717sounds like you have a fragility problem

[@thomasdickson35]

My 73-year-old neighbor just died partially because of the church. He had dementia and no family he could go to for help. We would feed him, drive him places, help him do laundry, help him walk, give him water, anything. The church led us in circles, refusing to help. He was a member for 35 years. THEY TOLD US TO GO TO A DIFFERENT CHURCH FOR HELP when I called them on the phone. I spoke to three different wards, a stake president, two sets of missionaries, and my girlfriend even tried to call the church office building. Their tax free and non-profit status should be revoked. Their fine should be the same amount as the deception. People need to go to prison.

[@thomasdickson35]

I forgot to mention that when one set of missionaries came to my house and I told them about his needs, they never went to visit him, despite the fact he lived three doors down the street. The church is the wolf in sheep's clothing.

[@thomasdickson35]

@@eryng5690 He died 10 days ago. 😞

[@Peter-uo9km]

Churches and religions are actually known for being major financial law offenders. And that sucks for your neighbor I hope God has mercy on his soul.

[@taylor5651]

I was a member of this church and had a friend with a disabled child who were in desperate need of food, and a set of missionaries told me that the church would only provide any aid to its members. I ended up ordering her and her kid a pizza even though I couldn't really afford it. The church stockpiles food in what they call bishop's storehouses, which are basically like grocery stores with basic necessities, but only for their people apparently. Sounds exactly like what Jesus would do. /s

[@breannabutton3075]

That's strange that happened to you, because I have seen the church help feed many non members and even donate food to other churches to pass out.

[@caspenbee]

This man is courageous. To stand up to people who you believed in is the hardest.

[@stephtimms1776]

Or he just lost faith. It's not brave to do that.

[@Rockthatbody]

I don’t think faith has anything to do with it. That’s criminal hiding behind a Bible

[@MichaelSmith-fq3pg]

​@@stephtimms1776Are you salty or envious? (Probably a bit of both)

[@agnusdeiquitollispecatamundi]

​@@stephtimms1776lost faith on a clearly scammy religion

[@HaleStorm49]

He could make more $$ for this than he's made in a lifetime. It's called greed my dude.

[@jeffs4483]

Jesus needs Billion dollar shopping malls.

[@GeekOwtLowd]

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ "

[@davidh.9235]

This is exactly why I left more than 20 years ago. I've always said religion is a personal choice...money should never be involved in matters of the spirit.

[@LoreD360]

Amen

[@keepinitreal938]

I Agee. As a member, I do not believe Heavenly Father is charging a 10% fee to get into Heaven.

[@Robert-rw5lm]

@@keepinitreal938 just to help build up his church on earth

[@stephenmorring3370]

@@keepinitreal938 10% fee to get into Heaven? He charges A LOT more than that! He expects you to give EVERYTHING. Many parables teach that everything is required -- beyond just money, too. If you can't handle that and want to settle for less, there are still great rewards and happiness in store for all of His children.

[@miketay1000]

The spiritual aspect is indeed personal. The church aspect is useful for accomplishing big goals that require organization. If someone in your neighborhood needs help, having a group of people who have resources, meet regularly, have networks of trust, are able to do far more good with such organization and resources than individuals alone could do.

[@JAlexanderCurtis]

They keep saying the hundred billion dollars are for the second coming. But why does Jesus need US Dollars when he allegedly returns? It makes no sense. Seriously, imagine God coming to earth and then being like, "So I need some cash to buy some stuff".

[@jeffs4483]

That's part of the LDS Con. It's all a Lie.

[@danarzechula3769]

Hahaha thanks for that 😂

[@missnewzealand6103]

Interesting that they are saving the money for a "rainy day", yet no matter what kind of rain comes to the membership, they must always pay tithing with no exceptions.

[@awakening2979]

No kidding! Jesus needs all those money to shop at the mall they built in SLC? First the LDS church needs to pay for janitors instead of using its members to clean church buildings and they can pay for the missionaries out there! Seriously Mormons are super cheap, they learn from its cult leaders!!!

[@jasonhanks8258]

You don't fully understand the church, so your opinion is just your opinion. Your joke is pathetically old and used over and over.

[@ladrac198]

The church needs to face consequences for this. Registering the INVESTMENT company of a religion as a non-profit shouldn't be allowed, especially when they're collecting $7B a year and not spending it all on charitable works.

[@pierrena3420]

Indeed. The tax free status is granted for the purpose of allowing the grantee the means to spend the otherwise tax expense for the benefit of the public. Clearly, if this is not upheld tax free status should be revoked - even retroactively if applicable by law!!

[@KMS5280]

The government needs to keep its nose out of the financial business of any church. Members voluntarily donate to the church & Mormons verifiably take care of their members when needs arise. Can the government who wants you to be upset with the LDS church make that claim or do they literally confiscate from everyone whatever they want - whether you like it, approve of it or not….we all know the answer. The US govt. should worry about their filthy, corrupt leadership, protected political class “elected” & appointed both - before they start picking on churches finances. This could become a disturbing trend - watch. And it won’t go well for the govt if they continue pulling this nonsense.

[@Vagabond_Etranger]

They're ALL doing it, Goodwill, Salvation Army. Even Girl Scout of America. Having employees use their parents' vehicle, gas, time to sell products, cookies, & not getting paid for it, while the GSoA CEO gets a 6 figures salary.

[@robertwilber1909]

Really? Catholic Church makes this look like lunch money. CJCLDS is not the Red Cross, never promised to be.

[@theChaseGroup]

Yup, they already admitted their fault and paid any fines. But stay tuned because there is always a whistle-blower attempting to make money from rewards every year.

[@snivelinj7612]

All that money, and the Church still "commands" that each member pays their tithing. Now, the reason is "not because the Church needs the money", but so each of us will be "blessed by God for paying tithes". But if the members don't pay up, the Church---God---will withhold the highest blessings it can offer us. Is this not some kind of racket !!

[@Nv-mo]

Aaanndd if you don't receive your blessings after giving out your money is because you sinned! Or you don't have enough faith😂😂😂😂

[@Decision_Justice]

Indeed. And if you want to go to your daughter's wedding you have to pay up and PROVE that you paid 10% of your Gross Income!

[@kevinwright8524]

Don't you wish the government only asked for ten percent. And didn't have any debt. What a theory.

[@howardcohen6817]

I'm glad that Alfonsi has the same, honest difficulty with lies as many of us do. Understanding just what people are saying requires questions of clarification and she's great at this. TY.

[@stevenhansen2766]

This needs to be investigated a true church doesn't hide money or tell members to break the law. This is insane.

[@psychicwoman]

Regrettably they all do it it doesn’t matter whether it’s a church organization, a bank, a public school all commercial entities everything you pay for There isn’t any money. Only a promise to pay into the future🏴‍☠️💰How droll…

[@AtLeastTryALittle]

What are you talking about! I find almost impossible to believe that there is anyone in 2023 with more than 2 brain cells to rub together who doesn't already know that the primary function of organized religion is the exploitation of power over people and tax exempt money grifting and laundering. This is why we need to remove tax exempt status and basically every other privileged status these cults have in this country. It really is sad that human beings are still stupid enough to belive in deities and fall victim to these scams and abuse over and over again

[@Trace-l7k]

Tax them into oblivion. They are a detriment to human development. Selling a fairy tale and banking with tax free funds. Sounds like a scam.

[@scottsmith8056]

They absolutely do, every single one, all churches are more crooked than your local drug dealer!

[@CarlosSanchez-dv1ew]

No they spend it on gold statues and churches

[@melbaker9495]

Makes my blood boil, My working class father made sure we paid ten percent to the church every month, even when we could barely pay our bills.

[@michelparmentier3063]

mouahahhaaaahahaa !

[@tannerpaisley-ve6dq]

Pyramid scam

[@sfl3217]

I pay my tithing to God. If it’s misused it’s on their heads. And I pay a LOT more tithing than you fwiw. Doesn’t matter.

[@isaacmyers6909]

@@sfl3217 bragging about how much you pay to get into your own kingdom?😂 Sounds a little bit like a sin to me, ask your bishop if you can pay more to make it go away!🙏

[@kenholt8297]

LOL!

[@DanA.-jo4sg]

Shut it all down.

[@KandiKlover]

Tax it.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

Tax guidelines need to be changed for churches. All churches should have 100% transparency.

[@magesalmanac6424]

Yeah. But what candidate would ever run on that platform? It’s political suicide in most US states.

[@dvdortiz9031]

Most of them would disappear!!!

[@riggityr5587]

Oh for sure 💯 But you know politicians ñ(on both sides) who make money off churches would never allow it.

[@nonoberk]

Interesting. Why do you think that? Why should businesses, individuals, and nonprofits get to have their privacy but churches should be 100% transparent?

[@riggityr5587]

@@nonoberk i hear you friend but everyone should transparent if you ask me. It would make hiding money so much harder. But ya know politics lol

[@egonaigner4757]

Nothing quite shows the character of a person (or group) than how they treat the less fortunate, the invisible, or the marginalized. The Church doesn't need to say anything in response to this documentary - their actions have said everything we need to know.

[@andrew_koala2974]

Nothing quite shows the character of a Man (or group) Understand that PERSON is a genderless CORPORAT fiction - and a DEAD entity The Person - Created in the 15th Century to conduct commerce -= im-PERSON-ates the living soul 'Man' The word Person was 'INSERTED' into the English language - Now it is difficult for indoctrinated brain-damaged people not to use it - as it has become so pervasive. Learn to use the word Man. There are TWO kinds of Man - Man and WoMan (incorrectly pronounced as Woman - Collectively they are known as ' Mankind ' Now you have been educated better,

[@treesandseedschannel7082]

Exactly

[@cjmatulka8321]

They all appear to be quite healthy too, so, what have the Mormons been feeding the rest of us.

[@jakeave]

Their actions like $1 billion to humanitarian work last year alone? Says everything I need to know.

[@rachelsmith2524]

Right. Watch the 2023 world report

[@admez2680]

Secrecy masquerading as confidentiality is still deceit. The church has earned all of its black eyes over the years. When this is how they operate they do not deserve their nonprofit status. Trust has been broken and isn't getting put back together.

[@1MarkKeller]

Exactly, ALL religious organizations need to lose their tax exemptions.

[@slconley]

Very much agreed

[@keepinitreal938]

​@@appleaccounts2524They created 13 shell companies to break the law.. Research it more if you think they didn't do anything wrong. I'm a member and am very disappointed.

[@DanielleLegacy]

Chilling. All I could think of was this verse... "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." - Matthew 6:19-21

[@klimtscat347]

They clearly can't care less. Did you know that mormons have to PAY their organization in order to be allowed to go on a mission? Multiply that times the fact that virtually ALL baptised mormons serve a mission at least once in their lives.

[@endlesseverfall3176]

Yes, where do you think they get the money to aid during disasters, build more temples, chapels, giving to various charities mostly unannounced to the world. Feeding the members who are worthy, when they needed help from the church?

[@FFM115]

@@endlesseverfall3176they do the bare minimum just to keep their tax exemption status, also most of the help comes from the members who despite paying tithes, offerings and other contributions are also induced to help with humanitarian aide. The church gets to keep the most of the money and yet gets all the publicity and credits. It’s not a church, it’s a well run corporation

[@janinemaxwell4297]

⁠@@endlesseverfall3176what money to help during disasters have you actually looked into how very little they give during disasters what they do which I think is fraud they add up the amount of man hours the member’s volunteer during clean ups then work out how much that would cost then say they have donated that amount. Why do you think they never go in under their own banner but instead they use the red cross

[@jimbomanzano4785]

@@FFM115 In the Book of Acts, there were no such things as corporations. In the primitive church built by Jesus Christ, his 12 apostles set apart 7 good men to take care of the needy, so that the apostles can concentrate on their work of preaching the gospel and administering in the ordinances thereof. (See Acts 6). In the restored church, the leaders appointed “Ensign Peak Advisors” as the investment manager for assets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so that the work of ministering by the leaders of the church will go unhampered. The leaders of the LDS Church are following Jesus’ parable of the talents: “Lord, thou gavest us 10 talents; behold we have gained 100 billion talents more for thy church.” And the Lord says, “That’s good, but you need more to prepare the saints and the world for the great tribulations that will come before my return.”

[@therealmegore]

Want riches? Get famous. Want wealth start a religion.

[@fredthebulldog529]

Religion is the biggest scam in history.... Every..... Single...... One..... Is a complete scam. Now that the unpopular truth is out, let the rocks fly

[@FigaroHey]

The word you want is cult. In a cult, the leaders are presented as perfect and beyond any question or discipline. In a cult, you are encouraged to disassociate from anyone not in the cult and you are *required* to work at bringing more people into the cult. In a cult, you will be told how much you must pay per month or that you have to earn money for the cult or turn over assets to the cult in order to be a member in good standing. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are cults: you are punished, shunned or will lose everyone in your life if you try to leave (because like any narcissist, they systematically cut you off from friends, family and even business connections not in the cult). There are Christian churches that have many of the qualities of cults in terms of demanding money be paid, that everyone work for the church in some capacity, that you actively and aggressively proselytize and gain status for bringing in new recruits, that the leaders are portrayed as being paragons of perfection and the ordinary people try to act perfect in order to prove they are 'real Christians' unlike Christians who believe that if you need a savior, it's because you are a sinner. Basically, if a religion was invented in the USA, it's a cult and will have at least some of a cult's stranglehold on members and members' money. If it was created after the Enlightenment, it's at best a derivative of a real religion that does not have total control over members. A religion that does not respect total freedom of conscience and denies free will is in the business of controlling the members and their money. A religion that says you must always follow your conscience, and offers you very reasonable information about how to form and develop a reliable conscience is a religion you can trust. Any group that tells you to suspend your reason, not ask difficult questions or just believe and obey and *cannot* point you to clear philosophical arguments for its beliefs is either a cult or a money-making derivative of a religion. A religion will be founded by God for his glory and the good of the people. A cult will be founded by some guy for his glory, access to women or money or power, and will enrich and empower the leading elite while controlling the minds and consciences and cash of the members and shunning or harming them if they ask questions or leave. There is a huge difference between hearing someone out and saying, you are incorrect, and must not spread errors, and silencing someone and shunning the person and cutting the person off from all contact with friends, family and colleagues. If you are thinking of joining any "religion," the first thing to ask is, "What if you ask me to believe something and it just doesn't make sense to me? If it doesn't satisfy my reason? How do you handle that?" If they do not say, "We will respect your reason and you should not join us unless your reason is satisfied that our teaching makes sense," then go away and don't look back. The only other question you need to ask is: "What about free will and freedom of conscience? If in all sincerity, I cannot in good conscience go along with a teaching of your church, how am I to act?" If in either case the answer is a version of, "Just trust us and believe and come to meetings and join and get involved and eventually you will believe," or "just read our literature and keep praying the doubts to go away and just believe," that's brainwashing. You need them to say something like this: "We have had centuries of great minds pondering the teachings and we can explain them in a way that satisfies your reason. The things we tell you about morality, about how to form your conscience and know right from wrong will also make sense to your reason. However, you will never be pushed or pressured to join by peer pressure or the force of arguments or personality. Only God converts hearts and souls. We will present our beliefs and if they make sense to you, you are free to join or not." If you feel pressure, proselytized, swept up into a group of people who are "too good to be true," then it's a cult. One thing: the less the group members feel free to laugh at themselves and their peculiarities that may look odd to outsiders, the more they are like a cult. If they can't poke fun at themselves, they can't be realistic about themselves and there's mind control going on. The more intense and they are about their beliefs, the more narrowly focused and separate from the rest of life so the 'religion' (not God, but the cult itself) is all, the more you know they've been brainwashed. One other thing: investigate the teachings of the group and then find an example of where a member of the group failed to live up to the ideals or teachings of the group. Ask the representative of the group: "You say you teach A, but your member/leader very publicly did B. How do you explain that?' A cult will tell you that the person must never really have believed, or that it's wrong to judge or look critically, or the person just 'backslid' and we have put that behind us, or that the person was framed or that the media sensationalized it because people outside the church want to destroy us, or that it was all taken care of internally by the cult elite and we don't focus on the bad but the good. In one way or another, they will try to wave it away like a bad smell that they are pretending isn't there. A religion you can trust will freely admit that religion exists for faulted humans, is run by faulted humans who need God to overcome their sins. They will admit that what was done was contrary to the teaching and belief of the religion and they will remind you that you don't judge a belief system or organization by people who *fail* to live up to the ideals, but by the ideals themselves. Of *course* nobody will ever be perfect except God, but you all keep trying. The real question is not, "Why did someone choose to fall short of the teachings and moral standards?' since that's a question for that person's conscience. The real question is "Are the beliefs and moral standards taught by this group *accessible and acceptable to human reason,* so the member who failed to follow them was truly free to choose between principles that make perfect sense, and selfish gain or human weakness?' If the teachings are reasonable and the moral code can be defended in a way that makes sense, then the religion is not at fault for people who choose not to do the reasonable thing as taught by the religion. But if the group just says, "Believe even if it doesn't make sense and we can't explain it reasonably" or "Obey the moral code because we say so or we say God says so, arbitrarily,' then the surprise is only that you can get anybody to jettison their reason and free will and slavishly obey such a cult leadership. Are the teachings and moral code *reasonable* and clearly achieved by many, very publicly and obviously, even to outsiders, for centuries? Can any person with normal reason see they make sense? Does the moral code apply to every human being? Is it achievable (examples can be found) by men and women, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, in every culture, of any age or background or social status because it's grounded in a realistic view of human nature? (It's not clearly very American or suited to just one culture or people who are clever or rich or materially comfortable or uneducated or lonely or one race, or very young, etc?) If yes, then the failure to live up to a reasonable moral code is in the individual, not in the religion that the person failed to follow. But you know it's a cult or phoney Christian group if they demand obedience and belief divorced from reason or divorced from the reality about human nature, and then can't cope with the reality that people fall short. Cults present the leaders as 'ideal', without fault. Religion can prove that the *teachings* are ideal and without fault, and that God alone is without sin.

[@twan102000]

​@@FigaroHey Well said, next time please use paragraph spacing. That was brutal to follow.

[@TheBandit7613]

@@FigaroHey Scientology.

[@MrIndyjoe]

Nothing like writing a book to share an opinion. Sounds like something a cultist would do.

[@trudyfox938]

Governments need to start taxing churches unless they can prove at least 80% of their income is used for charity, to provide support for the poor and sick.

[@leelaural]

yes....all churchs...and that grinning idiot defended this crap should be behind bars......

[@kenofken9458]

They should have to pay taxes on every last penny of it that is not used for true charity.

[@jamesricks]

They need to have a limit on tax for their expenses too. All the Latter Day Saint clergy make at least $200,000 now, plus almost all living expenses (vehicle, food, housing, health, travel) covered on top of the salary. You don’t need more than $60-70k to live very comfortably in Salt Lake City.

[@thedirtlifesupreame]

@@jamesricks You don't live in Utah do you? Because if I didn't make what I do, and were only making $60-70K, I would be living in a van down by the disgusting Jordan River. Maybe someone who is very frugal could do it. But this place has become very expensive in the last few years. Especially with all the Californians buying up housing. The median home price in SLC is ~$537K. You couldn't qualify for a home loan if you only made $60-70K year. Add in Cost of food, fuel, vehicle, taxes, etc. Yeah, your math does not add up.

[@ljrmorgan767]

Amen 🙏 😮 !

[@nefialvarez1478]

I was a missionary for the church and was instructed to tell the poor families to pay their tithing, to stop working on sundays, some of them barely had anything to eat, yet the “lord” required their money to prove their faith, many of them did as told, so this subject really hits hard, it’s infuriating.

[@mariewheeler5626]

I bet you were a missionary coming from the United States. In this country, we are so used to having the most for the least cost. It is atrocious we live in the land of plenty, yet, the world's people are destitute. Even in our own country, we have homelessness, lack of this or that. So what do I DO? Help as much as we can.

[@nefialvarez1478]

@@mariewheeler5626 nope

[@darkstar7999]

@@mariewheeler5626 So sell all your stuff and give it to the poor. No one is stopping you. Sorry you have to live in such a disgusting (to you) country.

[@mayasagra6503]

I was raised Catholic by my parents going to church every Sunday Then after 25 years I changed to the Mormon church i was under preasure by a young American Mormon to be bautized, i was not sure but i did as i was scared and vulnerable by what they make me believed, the young Mormons came to visit me at home few times then they prepared the bautized once we fixed a date for bautized the bishop came home and talked about the tithing i gave some amount of money first time according to the percentage they mentioned on the visit then i continued given the tithing often, they make people believe they help if we need support and help, however the help is accordingly with what you give 😅 then i released that they are not what they said they are, they offer trips etc but they ask contributions towards outgoings, nothing is free, I released in the church there are hypocritical people and they live promiscuous lifes also i released that the children from the Mormon families are the ones who are the most benefit to go to good universities in Yuta etc nor the ones who give the tithing which are normally the poor families, I believe these temples are cults, and they get rich and rich and we get poor and poor just working to pay the tithing, now i know that God our father in heaven never ask for money, Jesus Christ is our saver whether or not we go to a church as we only need faith in him, i pray at home and he never fails me How many Mormons have left the religion ? Coz they know is all a lie, thanks to the heroes like this gentleman have the bravery to say the true in public well done God will bless you 🙏🙏💌

[@jeremybilbrey1133]

salvation is not about works...but the sacrifice of Jesus.

[@braddaves242]

Committing crimes is a sin

[@letsroll492]

No committing crimes would be sins, plural.... and they never offered any evidence with a reporter saying he claims he claims he claims LOL

[@b.a.b7834]

Here we go... DONT MIX RELIGION WITH POWER AND MONEY!!! PLEASE WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[@DemonBrandon]

Yes, because secularists do it so much better.😂😃

[@jeffhsu7027]

You mean as it has been done since the dawn of man?

[@jeffhsu7027]

@@DemonBrandon yes we do. No hiding behind some hocus pocus, don’t look behind the curtain, space god.

[@DemonBrandon]

@@jeffhsu7027 Yes, you yourself are a god. You have no need for any other.

[@kenthill8679]

The mormon religion and the mormon church are a cult...

[@michaelgormley2294]

“we see it as being confidential”. “What’s the difference” Ouff that silence hurt.

[@beeapprentice2725]

He answered accurately. What are you talking about?

[@jacksonrowley8158]

He literally couldn’t give her a direct, honest answer cause the truth is so damming

[@coldwar45]

Should put the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme over the silence LOL.

[@GeekOwtLowd]

He should've said, "Confidential means it's not your business." but that would sound mean. But it's true. It's none of her business, or your business, or the governments business.

[@deeneyugn4824]

Being a church in America is a lucrative business.

[@hzlkelly]

Anywhere really.

[@sinclairal]

That LDS guy literally said he doesnt think transparency would fix the issue because then everyone would be telling us what to do with the money. He means the LDS members would tell them what to do with THEIR money!!! Joseph defrauded people, and the lie continues so many years later...

[@BrianTerrill]

I pay tithing I understand it's no longer my money.

[@suegriggs5384]

@@BrianTerrill. I don’t know if you are LDS but there are two types of donations which I know of: designated and undesignated donations. If you give money specifically to say, the missionary fund, then the donation MUST be used for missionaries because the donor specified or designated to be used for that purpose. If tithing is for specific or designated purposes, that is how it is to be used. In my mind, a donation is an investment in which a donor places trust in the recipient to use for specifically stated purposes. However, it seems if you see tithing as a gift which is very admirable. In my mind however, I expect the recipient to use the money for the intent or purpose they stated.

[@BrianTerrill]

@suegriggs5384 I am lds, I also know how to read tithing slips, the current one states: "All donations to the Church are free-will offerings and become the Church’s property. In furtherance of its overall mission, the Church may shift donations from any designated use to other uses, at its sole discretion" As flattering as your argument is, a judge would base their decisions on information like that.

[@suegriggs5384]

@@BrianTerrill based on your comment, then any monies given are gifts and can be used according to the needs of the organization. This is not the case however with every church or non-profit. Thank you for clarifying this point for readers and me.

[@BrianTerrill]

@suegriggs5384 Oh, I'm sure wvery non-profit has something you should read before making a donation and winning after the fact.

[@rustyshackle917]

"If you want to get rich, you start a religion." ― L. Ron Hubbard

[@AshHailtotheKing]

Hey now, just because Joseph Smith used the same rock in a hat to "translate" the Book of Mormon (the same rock he used for treasure digging to scam folks out of money), doesn't mean he did it all for the money... he also had like 35 wives, so sex was part of it too.

[@johnrice6793]

That’s the ticket - For sure. Damn these religious fruit cakes. Wonder why people would believe in conspiracies? Huh? Really- -REALLY???

[@James-ts6jr]

True but our leaders are no Joel Osteen 😅

[@jeffs4483]

@@James-ts6jr They are worse.

[@James-ts6jr]

@@jeffs4483 who’s worse?

[@fosta4243]

If the bishop and the other bishops within the church are honest in their dealings, then they shouldn’t mind if a full investigation with actual numbers and investments are released publicly!

[@annwood6812]

Bishops and Presiding Bishops are way different. Ordinary bishops don't know what's going on.

[@patrickmcfarland5907]

Why do they owe that to anyone though? The IRS audits the church and finds the funds are being used appropriately. It would be like me asking for your last three years of bank statements to prove you're an honest person. You don't owe me bank statements or audits, why ask that of someone else?

[@maryvallettakeith6146]

@@patrickmcfarland5907Because good churches have transparency. Churches masquerading as cults do not. This should be a huge red flag, if you were a thinking person, which I take it you're not.

[@hereandthere8900]

It’s a fake religion anyway.

[@davidgray1165]

If the Bishops are honest? And wolverines make great house pets! Dude all churches are dishonest! The mega churches the TV churches all of them. Snake oil salesmen

[@N_Ides]

A five million dollar fine and no jail time is not even a real slap on the wrist for an organization worth billions. It's more like a pat on the back to keep doing business as usual but with a reminder to implement greater secrecy and security. It's just another reminder that justice in America isn't all that different from justice in any other part of the world, where money and political power buys more justice than the poor.

[@blueskiesandgreenpasturesp3848]

Exactly. Take away their tax exempt status!

[@birdlyword2]

The PR black eye is a much more significant consequence than the fine.

[@2012Ursula]

@@birdlyword2 I hope so. LDS is a business, and not an honest one.

[@blueskiesandgreenpasturesp3848]

@Kimberly-rc8fv it’s a good question. Fundamentalist Mormons are also known to abuse women and children . Should they be protected by “freedom of religion”?

[@TeWandaJoven]

They're the only church helping the members though and no collection plates every 5 minutes.

[@Daniel-wk6yg]

Only in America could a scam such as this get away with so much and pay zero taxes.

[@ajensen366]

TAX this corporation!!

[@uhadme]

The money that earthlings DONATE was already taxed. Something malfunctioned in your logic, rite? Everyone pays income tax, donating your money to homeless, and they should pay tax? Working a freeway offramp pays over $1000 in tax free cash... angels like you need to make the whole world perfect.

[@kevinparkin3322]

Leftists who promote United States Federal deficit spending gasp at the LDS Church paying cash for EVERYTHING. How dare the Church having cash to pay for expenses AND having a cash reserve. Holy Moses, Batman!

[@n-da-bunka2650]

@@uhadme NOPE! That is NOT what happens

[@tracienielson7183]

@@uhadme These are the same people who would scream "separation of church and state" if a church would endorse a candidate, but are completely ok with government running churches.

[@tonythaiger93]

You cannot tax god!!!

[@goodywin]

She should have pressed him harder on some of his answers. For instance “We’ve never looked at it as a percentage, we looked at it based on needs, to make sure we’re comfortable with how many years worth we have…” Ok, so how are you calculating how much you need per year and how many years is that 120 billion dollars going to cover? Based on what??

[@sirij8784]

It probably fluctuates every year. So many variables.

[@derrillyager7946]

Taxing the churches will encourage them to do charitable works.. to maintain their charitable status.. otherwise they could have levied property taxes to support local schools and social programs. Would they open their books to the IRS ?

[@gtf5392]

Yeah that answer was strange to me. So he doesn’t look at charitable giving as a percentage but he looks at tithe receiving as a percentage.

[@johnparnham3305]

They make a few loafs of bread for the poor and call it a charity all while pocketing billions always knew they were lying and scamming not surprised at all

[@effexon]

arch nemesis for any investor let alone church is that if ya dont have goal, only thing driving you is greed and " a little bit more" to eternity

[@joca6282]

Never trust a preacher that tells you how to vote and never trust a politician that tells you how to pray.

[@providentpathfinders219]

never a wiser word spoken

[@robertcooper1640]

Yes!

[@LowLight420]

Never trust either ever.

[@artstrology]

Never trust any person who tells you how to pray or who to pray to. then takes 10 % plus whatever the widows have left at the end. The churches are making billions in all kinds of ways that christians do not even know themselves. Study your masters.

[@robertpendergrass7996]

You spoke volumes there ! 👍 👌

[@joshjohnson6885]

Being a active Mormon today, actually having my youngest son being baptized this tomorrow, I can only speak for myself. It’s not that we are ignorant or don’t care. I have listen to and read a ton of anti Mormon information even as far as some of the interesting history. And I can stand before you today and tell you that because of my testimony and experiences I have had, I will never deny the church. If we are all believers today in Jesus Christ and god. Then you should know all is there’s anyways. I don’t care if the church has its investments. At least almost all the leaders are not paid, they do at there time, and not too mention the church is one of the first responders to crisis in the world. They do more charity and service then any other religion to my knowledge. Any one who sees this and develops a bad taste in there mouth is looking for things to hate on the church. But I can testify that it is Jesus Christ’s church. That he is the head of it. And that he did atone for our sins. That we can not be saved but by him himself. And that no one, no matter what the excuse is, no one, should put limits or assume what Heavenly Father and Jesus can or will do. And I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

[@beausmith3900]

Hope the baptism went well and congrats

[@johanvandervlag1705]

Beautiful spoken, hope you and your son had a good baptism 👍

[@rupertred7434]

Delusional

[@joshjohnson6885]

@@rupertred7434 how?

[@nellyb7130]

ignorance is bliss....right?

[@JJSo12345]

A deep, serious audit for “churches” …their assets, investments and income is needed. How is the “tax exempt status” being abused? This is the question that must be asked.

[@tmn8547]

Agreed!! Audit them!!

[@paulanix7561]

Most members give 10 percent and many churches use that money to run homeless services, charities, and other ministries so the government relies on church services.

[@MrRedsi]

start with our government first because that affects us directly compared to what this church is doing or not doing, that has no affect on me or you unless we are members and have given

[@markp.7165]

Politicians and their families as well. We know there are some games being played there.

[@gadgetlover9763]

@@MrRedsi The government expenditures are fully public and audited. Unlike the church, which can hide all its finances from the public, the people they take money from. Learn the difference.

[@dannyiselin]

FOLLOW THE MONEY! If any religious institution pressures you that your salvation depends on your financial giving, head for the exit.

[@chrisbaker7858]

😂😂😂

[@Ulysses.S.Grant.For.The.Union.]

Well stated and absolutely a must for the Mormons. Exit door. They are nuts. From Utah I know.

[@dutchdna]

I've been to many churches here in Texas and all of them but one little church were preaching that.

[@adammarshallyt]

It not like that. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has tithing to not have members be connected to materialistic, worldly things (as is like the golden calf from the Old Testament). Tithing helps the members to not be selfish; by sacrificing 10% of the individual’s earnings to the church. The money also to help for what was said in the video; how the church donates money to help food production. The money is also to help support the church as well (that i recall) by having temples being built all around the world, to get the lords work done; by gathering Israel on Both sides of the Veil.

[@isaachuegedeserville8627]

​@@flyingwithpineapples Yes, along with talking snakes, talking donkeys, and whales that are capable of swallowing fully grown men.

[@djcfrompt]

Just to point out, while this may be the first time many folks are hearing about this, it's not the first time it's been reported. We've been hearing about this for quite a while, especially here in Utah.

[@salemdianne]

Damn, and they follow the 10 commandments which says to be honest at all times.

[@ristopherobbins]

Except for when the church was accused their response was they had nothing to hide. It wasn’t until they were found guilty that they got a slap on the wrist. Oh and none of the members care their church lies.

[@eclipse-sh1qmZ3mOtcua]

All members of the Church of JCoLDS should google "SEC" and "Ensign Peak Advisors" and get the pdf of the SEC report detailing what the First Presidency of the church did. 9 page pdf you can download. Channel "Mormon Discussions" also has a video of an attorney who walks us through the report. 25:00 in for the Meat of the video.

[@garypatton3715]

I have my magic underwear on, and I still can’t see the golden tablets you speak of

[@chicagoboy1106]

*It's so disgusting that "charities" only need to spend 5% of assets to get "charity" status! Management expenses indeed!*

[@tajjiintanzania6237]

I am setting up my Christian charity, but if it doesn't benefit the people on the ground here... I will be held accountable. Accountability is important. -Blessings from Tajji in Tanzania

[@keithwiebe1787]

I would suppose that that 5 percent is ok since that's all one could draw from the principal to keep the thing going. Many of these charities possibly don't have new money coming in (like the Mormon account does).

[@shirleysear7168]

Nope it goes directly into the pockets of the "leaders"!

[@benzun9600]

yeah most charities are a total scam and money laundering operation.

[@JackSonOfJohn]

@@grantootingwinnie2986 how is it money hungry greedy people. Who exactly is getting rich off this money? No one that's who. The church is not a person...it is a people. Our church members receive financial assistance when there is a need. They are the first ones to arrive at a disaster to provide food and water. Show me a church that gives more humanitarian aid

[@daenerystargaryen1440]

All my respect to the man! He has guts to speak out 👏

[@nisamsnjesko]

And get 30% of the payout 😂

[@nefialvarez1478]

Good for him tbh

[@theoptimist9605]

He wants free money and 60 minutes Hates religion. Everyone got what they wanted. SO Predictable!

[@danusdragonfly6640]

@@theoptimist9605 You should change your name. You're *not* the optimist. You're the jaded, willfully blind dupe!

[@Cletus-Hellfire]

Church of England seems to be the only one to not have a scandal of weird stuff.

[@jared-rummler]

I gave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a lot of my hard-earned money. If I knew the truth I wouldn't have given them a dime. I feel misled and lied to.

[@spaceforce7031]

Feels bad man

[@simonelliot3712]

While some religions do some good here and there, the fact that they are scamming people is the feature, not the bug.

[@moabman6803]

Well the LDS church does display some qualities that do come somewhat in line with what a religion really should have that many don't. Having members evangelize for example is something all churches should do. All religions will likely have buildings and properties for various reasons to run the religion. Overly exotic buildings though are a basic indicator that a religion is a sham. A religion shouldn't be overly focused on getting rich.

[@sramaswami01]

Any religion is a scam or encourages scamming among those who follow that religion. Religions and Gods are for only those who do not have faith in themselves, and who fail to accept success/failures, happiness/sadness, wealth/poverty, health/sickness etc in equal measures!! Give up God and Religion, believe in yourselves!! You will reach great heights!! If you compare the Gods/Religions and the law of the land/constitution, both stand for only one thing - DO NOT HARM OTHERS!! Tell me a God/Religion or a law whose final goal is this! I bet nothing is there. So, when human beings started living together as social animals from a nomadic apes, a lot of social problems arose. Some one found that the easy way to control human behavior is through instilling fear in the minds of the people. Early humans feared the natural forces because they could not understand their destructive and deadly nature. Humans understood anything that is beyond ones understanding causes fears and creates obedience. So, Gods were created!! Religions are the result of the followership of groups of people in beliefs of their liking. The first rulers of human beings were religious leaders. Later, when humans evolved, more civilized thoughts came up and the monarchy supported by religious leaders emerged!! When he evolved further, concept of separation of religion from the government came in that resulted in the constitution and laws of lands!! Thus we can observe that God and Religions are nothing but the present day constitution and laws, and both try to accomplish only one thing - an orderly society where every one can live happily, with no one bothering the other by his/her actions!! That is why all modern laws of a land and religious edicts have only one goal in common - DO NOT HARM OTHERS!! If anyone can show me a law or religious rule that does not meet this, I will bow to him/her!!

[@asdfgh-uh6cy]

The world doesn't sympathize with morons, and neither does the church.

[@jilljensen9849]

I am an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He hasn’t mentioned the millions of money that have been spent on humanitarian work. Or Bishops store houses where anyone in need, not only members, can get food at no cost to them. We also are the crazy people who have food storage, saved money and anything we would need to live comfortably if there is a natural disaster or we have a pandemic or loose a job. People run the finances and people aren’t perfect. I know I’m not. But I believe that they meant well. Everyone who is up in arms about this will someday be thrilled to see us with our yellow helping hands t-shirts in an emergency situation. Or thrilled when you are in need and can reach out to the Bishop or Relief Society President to help take care of you. Making sure that you have groceries and can pay rent. If you are without sin, cast the stone.

[@Mr--_--M]

Churches launder money?!!....Shocker

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

Not all Irish are drunks, and not all churches are dishonest. Judge people as individuals. Churches have helped me pay my rent.

[@InternetForHomies]

​@@patrickmccarthy7877 most of them are shady tho

[@goodiegoodiegumdrops]

Same as Kardashians

[@Daniel-qy9mb]

How did you get money laundering from this video?! They were talking about hiding money in shell companies and not using more funds to help others.

[@elainedaprano9130]

​​@@InternetForHomies Not true. Some, large and small, truly struggle. It's a known fact that people who are less able to donate, donate the MOST. The wealthy who are often looking to file charitable exemptions, donate the LEAST! My mom, who was on a fixed income in her retirement, donated quarterly to St. JUDES and various other charities. And she always put a $5 in the basket on Sundays, at 7 AM Mass. The collection was taken up by gentlemen who volunteered for the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The churches which are NOT "mega churches " are most always mortgaged to the hilt and ministers use 1040s to pay self employment tax The LDS Church has always been pretty wealthy through investing. Muslim churches cannot invest due to laws against usury. The Irish Catholic charities ARE ALWAYS first on the ground in war zones and refugee camps. Google it. You may decide not to follow a religion if your life, but you may find yourself helped by one sometime in your lifetime. But if a church is not teaching mercy, compassion and charity, I advise you never go back to it...

[@sinetteiversen9978]

Stop all tax exceptions for so called churces

[@user-tz6rk4dy5s]

What are “churces?”

[@budoboy]

Yeah the government does a much better job helping people (eye roll)

[@MrRedsi]

Never going to happen

[@GoingApeCostume]

Former Mormon. I have no problem with little churches taking a tithe to keep the grounds nice, building maintained, lights on. Pastors getting a wage is okay in my book. Saving enough for outreach and more buildings is fine. Mega churches are monopolies that should absolutely be investigated and taxed. And there is NO reason any of their assets should not be public knowledge. Enough Mormons in my circles are PROUD that their church is so rich, which I'm sure Jesus is happy about.

[@Chainyanker007]

@@user-tz6rk4dy5s- An amoeba like organism that is concerned about self-survival thru nourishment in the form of money from its caretaker members. To perpetuate its survival the young need to be similarly indoctrinated and the ever present imperative to grow its membership by its missionaries.

[@bucklaw]

I worked for a charity that spent 98 percent of its money on its mission and had a two percent overhead. I wonder how many churches are doing the same thing.

[@jerheck]

I'd be curious to know what charity that was as that's a very low overhead ratio. Were they simply passing funds through to other organizations?

[@Nick-tx2fl]

0%. I work in the nonprofit accounting world. There’s not a church I’ve seen that operated on that slim an administrative budget. Some still do a lot of good when compared to their total revenue, but the Mormon church isn’t one of them.

[@Cyrusmagi]

I wonder if that was the charity "warchild"?

[@birtcn]

Self-reported or audited by an independent auditor?

[@vanessac8193]

@@jerheck I've seen it before. The key I think is small size and all volunteer. My dad was involved in a charity that was the personal project of a friend of his. It isn't a model that scales well. They're definitely a labor of love. When the friend tragically passed in a car accident, they tried to keep it going but it was too much work.

[@gabrielvalentino6282]

Scandal all the way down!

[@beauhawkes3221]

The way the bishop smirked when asked about how much the non-profit has in its accounts. Smirking at breaking the law; how mormon of him.

[@aarontavai5161]

no one cares, move along

[@kevohh10]

@@aarontavai5161 except lots of people do care.

[@Robert-rw5lm]

@@kevohh10 only exmos and atheists in Utah

[@ErikPortland]

​@@Robert-rw5lm we found a cult member

[@gilbertodominguez5212]

When I was a member of the LDS Church the wards I belonged to did help people out with short-term loans, but they were expected to pay it back, although without interest being charged. Sometimes they could work it off by doing things, such as maintenance, around the building, but it wasn't free assistance. At a small ward the bishop paid money out of his own pocket to help an elderly woman who was taking care of her grandkids who had been abandoned by their parents. They lived in squalor with hundreds of roaches crawling all over the kitchen table. But you do have to pay tithing if you expect the church to give you any assistance. The church didn't want people to be dependent on charity and should fend for themselves. That's fine but what about people who have long-term needs or unable to work? I was told by a bishop that the church is not a charity. That's clear enough.

[@taliagrace44]

That's partly why I stopped going. I was a single parent struggling financially and had to move into a camper trailer but they were adamant that I pay 10% of my paycheck. I did but I couldn't after a while so I stopped going. That's not a good support system...

[@pitherra]

That's sad.

[@knitswithhorses2285]

I'm confused by these comments. I don't doubt your stuff it just is weird to me. I'm concerned about this man's statements. But I've never felt able to pay tithing. Ever. But I have received help when I really needed it from the church with not one word of it being "paid back" in any way. Recently, we haven't even attended in years but when my husband broke his hip they came and built a ramp when a neighbor told a church leader what had happened. They paid rent and provided food for us in hard times several times over the years and I was never asked to work it off it anything like that.

[@brookbowen3152]

This is incorrect. Any funds, known as Fast Offerings, are funds donated by members to help support those in their local community. Those funds are used to support individuals and church policy is that these funds are NOT expected to be paid back. They may be asked to work for it as their abilities allow such as cleaning the building etc.

[@suzannebosjolie7532]

How much is going towards charity?

[@williamhornabrook8081]

If they don't have to pay taxes, that is incredibly OP for an investment manager. Investment management is key for a charity but the grants are what makes it a charity. Good on David Nielsen for raising this issue. If they lie to the contributing members, that should be considered a crime.

[@RigobertoLopez-le8ro]

Magic underwear or not, this is racketeering. Tax all religious organizations.

[@Silent_Shadow]

It is a crime, and it's not just the Mormons. Every single BIG church of all kinds is guilty of the same crimes. Rich pastor asking for "Gods" money from broke people in the church. Very Godly.

[@UniDeathRaven]

@@RigobertoLopez-le8ro you can't tax religion, its not a business. 🖕

[@rachelsmith2524]

The members are well aware about the funds and purpose of tithing. This man wants a payout which he wont get. He is mad that the church saves and grows the funds, if they meet requirements, its really nobody’s business. They paid the penalty. If he no longer wants to give to the church thats fine, he can move on. The money is given to the lord, I dont care if they make koolaid with it, its not my money, they are managing the lord’s money and they will be accountable to him. My obligation is to have the heart and faith to give some money that I earn for the lords purposes. Thats why lds are so great at giving, its not our money, its the lord’s money, its a commandment from him.

[@oliversbillions2354]

You can't tax God😂😂😂😂

[@AnOutgoingIntrovert]

I want all my tithing money back.

[@eclipse-sh1qmZ3mOtcua]

There are now Class Action lawsuits opening up in various states to do exactly this. Can be done now that the SEC Report has come out where the negotiated settlement required the Church of JCoLDS make certain admissions. google "SEC" and "Ensign Peak Advisors" It's a 9-page report. Channel "Mormon Discussions" has a video where an attorney walks us through the report. There's also a link to the lawsuits. You just might have a chance if a Class Action Lawsuit is started in your state.

[@GeekOwtLowd]

Here you go.

[@mercury4885]

To answer this wonderful journalist's question that the bishop dodged: the difference between secrecy and confidentiality is... a secret is hidden. You can be confidential while being up front that you can't share details. This was never going to come out unless someone blew the whistle.

[@tedmoss]

This is not a secret.

[@ememedem6476]

He could have said he didn’t know the difference rather than embarrass himself. I have worked at a job where documents were labelled confidential. It means someone trust to keep an information safe. But secret meant on no account should it be shared except to the appointed persons or authorities. This church made profit and secretly hid monies from IRS. Until the government start taxing the churches, this will continue.

[@bobg.3206]

@@ememedem6476, why would he be embarrassed? Those contributions are confidential from the moment a member hands them over in a sealed envelope until they are used. It's private. You aren't interested in people knowing all your finances. He doesn't mean Top Secret. He means the contributions and the members who make them are respected by the church.

[@ninamenon]

Slimy Bishop.

[@ninamenon]

Where is God in all of this? Jesus? Humanitarian work? This sounds like a business to me.

[@meghanramirez1995]

David is brave for speaking out about this because they have enough knowledge, $, and connections to really ruin his life. Thak you, David!

[@af146983]

Yea really brave, to make a complaint to the irs that could land you a 30 billion dollar pay check. So stunning, so brave

[@seasn5553]

@@af146983etter than the church continuing to steal from its followers. you mormon

[@commoncents5191]

That is just untrue. They will let him alone, he will Make his own life miserable.

[@Ulysses.S.Grant.For.The.Union.]

@@af146983 he deserves some rewards. The church can’t keep cheating the tax payers and its followers. The more the filthy rich avoid paying the more of their tab I have to pay. Bailing out a private company as a non profit? Jeez.

[@OsX86H3AvY]

it sounds like old timey scientology to me at this point...same grift, different century

[@sunday8979]

Corporations cut workers hours to avoid giving health insurance. Churches use the tax system to reap amazing returns. And companies buy houses by the block all while the average American cannot afford to buy a house where they live and see taxes automatically taken from their checks. WTF is wrong with this country?

[@MushookieMan]

end stage capitalism

[@qtasabutton21]

Right? My little family of 3 tried to buy a house and a real estate company ended up buying it before us because they paid cash and they just ended renting it out….. wtf is right.

[@cerealkiillar]

1% GREED and it's a world-wide problem that gets worse by the minute.

[@fricob.4828]

​@@MushookieMan no, taxes state burocracy , the state is the evil

[@GeekOwtLowd]

"Amazing returns". You know that the LDS Church is just saving the money right? They aren't lining their pockets. LOL What a scandal... the church isn't spending enough money!!!

[@jeffs4483]

I thank God everyday I escaped this hideous and untruthful fraud of a Cult and chose to become an actual Christian.

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

You left one cult to join another.

[@jeffs4483]

@@whitemailprivilege2830 Then you don't know Mormonism.

[@errolneal9789]

Imagine that? Church members holding the Church they're given billions to accountable for how the money is spent? The nerve of those sheep!

[@elizabethjordan825]

Right?!

[@zionmama150]

This dude is not a sheep. He’s a wolf pretending to be a sheep and trying to get money out of this using false accusations. This is about money for David.

[@markthompson6368]

I'm sorry but if I give money to a Church, the last person I want them to give it to is the IRS.

[@zionmama150]

@@markthompson6368 exactly! And the SEC is just another corrupt moneygrubbing government organization

[@errolneal9789]

@@markthompson6368 it's not about giving it to the IRS. They are literally hoarding the billions of dollars given to them by the multitudes of flocks! When we give our hard earned money, we EXPECT that it will go towards doing good in the world. The last thing you expect is for it to land in a pile somewhere to build up a balance sheet. It goes against how you'd expect a non profit to operate. 150b in the hands of people looking to do good in the world would go a long way. Sitting on the books, it literally does nothing.

[@warriorson7979]

I would be very surprised if this was the only fund that the LDS church has...🤔😒

[@letsomethingshine]

I heard they own most of the cows used in slaughter for steaks (not sure how true this is, maybe it's just an urban legend in Florida), and the steak industry has been pushing/lobbying/marketing thicker cuts of BQQ steaks in Korea and Japan for many decades now.

[@xandr13]

"We don't feel it's been secret, we feel it's been confidential." - I'm stealing that one!

[@benjamindavis2037]

Please post all of your personal finances so that we can scrutinize them... Why are you being so secretive? Just making a point. Have a great day.

[@toddjones5742]

urrr... alternative... ummm... facts

[@DemonBrandon]

You a politician?

[@DemonBrandon]

@benjamindavis2037 You go first. Practice what you preach preacherman.

[@bobareturned]

@Benjamin Davis except I bet that Alexander isn't a corporation masquerading as a tax exempt church that requires its members to pay a 10% tithe to get into a temple to get into heaven. Then said corporation invests gods money into the stock market. Gordon B Hinckley once said that the details of the church finances belongs to those who made the donations. The auditing dude that gets up once a year doesn't count as church members getting a breakdown of the details.

[@DanA.-jo4sg]

You know when one of the first things that they start demanding from you after joining is your money, that you might be in a Cult. Jesus doesn't need money. This is made very clear in the Bible.

[@TheBeardedSandman]

So the church DID use tithing funds, or proceeds from tithing funds, to pay for the mall... I feel sick to my stomach. Thousands of families asked to go without to pay for a fund not used for charity...

[@catchancook9277]

I hope you not one of them going to that mall doing your clothing or food shopping.

[@Ulysses.S.Grant.For.The.Union.]

Welcome to the Mormon church haha. I moved from Utah because of their craziness.

[@tomdavidson3905]

Yes, the investment subsidiary Ensign Peak invested in City Creak and is getting a return. As tithe payer, I'm much more satisfied with this investment than with the stock in Meta. This investment has nothing to do with the SEC fine. For layering up the corp structure and not having rollup reporting.

[@stephenmorring3370]

It would be completely different if they'd invested the reserves in a REIT, though, right?

[@tylermcfadden9237]

They justify doing that by believing it helped to revitalize Downtown SLC. It was a bit dead, no new development or activity for awhile until the mall. It made the area a lot busier and nicer near the Church’s headquarters.

[@JanTrewhitt]

Good for him!! We need more people like him in the world.

[@SkyePie]

yeah, aside from the fact that at 12:25, she says that Nielsen could be rewarded 30% of the 100B tax collected. So it does raise the question if he's doing this for his own self-gain. who knows if he's as noble as he seems. let's pra... hope. 8)

[@grahamfloyd3451]

@@SkyePie no tax is going to be collected here.

[@Ander-nu7fy]

@@SkyePie Ok sure? But whatever his motive is, (honest or not) doesn’t change any verifiable context and poor practices

[@aveaguila7679]

What liers? That makes false accusation.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

This man has balls of steel! Thank you for standing up against the greedy church! Whenever i see mega church, i think money they collected, how many people really see these churches help the poor? The church must use the profile dividends to build affordable housing in cities that needs it, especially for the homeless. God didn't ask his followers to statch wealth 🤑

[@lifeS458]

This is just one of the greedy churches in the United States.

[@bobrichards5310]

It’s a cult

[@sirij8784]

you don't know how much the church gives to homeless do you? It probably gives more than any other charitable or relgious institution in America.

[@foxrad29]

@@sirij8784 seems like they Don’t give anything ! There still poor place in world, 100 billion ? 7.5 billion people in world!

[@sirij8784]

@@foxrad29 so basically give all their money and not have any left to run operations? this is the reason why most people live pay check to pay check, they dont know how to manage money. How much have you personally given to charity this past year?

[@LazyLearner-sj9ts]

It's a Corporation posing as a Christian religion so it can avoid paying taxes. I hope that one day the federal government intervenes and finally does it's job of protecting the general public against this malicious organization.

[@NeilMartin98]

I doubt it, the US even allows some of their presidental and congress candidates to believe their nonsense.

[@douglastovey2685]

@@LazyLearner-sj9ts how, in any way is this organization hurting the public. Tithes are not taxed and shouldn’t be. Corporate owned interests operated for profit are taxed. What is not clear or not fair about that.

[@kevinwright8524]

Hey, 60 min. How about you do an episode talking about the billions the church has spent helping people around the world with hunger drilling wells so people don't have to carry water for ten miles. Bringing cargo jets full of food and toiletries after natural disasters.

[@GeekOwtLowd]

Yes. A corporation that saves money... and... uses it for church-related purposes. Wow... what a racket. :|

[@carolbenson6524]

Thank this man for speaking out!

[@sciencelad8286]

We live in a country where crooks are above the law, untouchable, but a man can be sent to jail for stealing $5 worth of food he can’t afford to buy. Further, does anyone really think that this one church is alone?

[@thankswillie]

@@wheelman1232 sorry for this,but for me i do not need any church...but oh i work for a catholic origination....take that one and run with it!

[@bartsullivan4866]

not at all they were just lazy and got caught. No way are they the only one doing this type of thing.

[@vickilssrb4405]

Church of Scientology. David Miscavige is evil.

[@Saulibarra1111]

Both are bad

[@rachelkristine4669]

Ikr?! I would like to see an investigation into the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Jehovahs Witnesses. Used to be one. They don't help anyone either. I wanna know the TRUTH! 🧐

[@soniabayer578]

This is why church and state must be independent! Period!

[@joellee6142]

I agree, tho what does that have to do with this case?

[@graceg3250]

? But the actions of this church are not in line with the definitions of a church, which is nonprofit.

[@jimbarrofficial]

@@joellee6142 Because if religion is easily auditable, that would force religious organizations to pay tithing to the state, which is in direct conflict with American values.

[@zionmama150]

They are…

[@dirtyfrench2926]

​@@jimbarrofficialThat's so inaccurate it's not even funny. Churches weren't tax exempt until 1913 when they ratified the 16th amendment. How is a church not paying its fair share a value hoss?

[@whitneyjohansen7428]

They have a good point about upholding law. If they church doesn't have to pay the IRS than neither should we! That's crap.

[@ncubesays]

Non-profits must be made to disclose thier financials for their tax exempt privileges.

[@patriciatimmerman2625]

That's the problem, they dishonestly disclose their financials! lol. Unless every penny taken in is accounted for and distributed for it's intended purpose, no church should be tax exempt.

[@stephenmorring3370]

@@patriciatimmerman2625 "...it's intended purpose..." Well, this church seems to be wise enough and hopeful enough that rather than going into debt or consuming everything for "today", they keep setting some aside for future needs and future growth. The greatest purpose is to build the kingdom of God -- in other words, a people prepared to receive the King when he returns. Will the King praise them for the wise use of what He's blessed them with, or will the King condemn them for burying it in the ground?

[@dandonnelly6498]

@@stephenmorring3370 he is never coming. Stop fooling yourself.

[@stephenmorring3370]

@@dandonnelly6498 But what if "fooling myself" give me great happiness and satisfaction? After all, people find all kinds of ways to seek happiness, spend their time and money; I'm at peace with my pursuit for happiness and satisfaction. I hope you'll find the same happiness and satisfaction in your pursuits.

[@pacemaker6328]

​@stephenmorring3370 nah he'll come down and ask why the church has a dragon horde and a bunch of great and spacious buildings that serve the dead instead of feeding and sheltering the living.

[@ShadyCool]

This is a classic case of tax evasion. The Mormon Church’s investment firm is using the church as a shield to evade tax compliance.

[@jonathannagela2130]

when the money is spent the taxes are paid.

[@allanwilmath8226]

This isn't news, the Mormon church was founded by a notorious con-man who liked to have sex with children. It's amazing people dignify the Mormon religion as anything other than the cult that it is.

[@MrFernanrc]

I think they should have to pay taxes but our elected officials are so corrupt in every state, that it might be better if they keep the money. To have them spend it on bathrooms, a mansion, lunch at wonderful locations, they have a meeting to ask what do we do about the homeless and they all go to Hawaii to have the meeting and spend a few weeks there in resorts, where they have the meetings. Spending money giving it away to other countries, and expecting something back in return. The mormon church isn't going to do that. George Soros might be upset that christianity is everywhere, they might be spending the money trying to bring down the church.

[@religionkills4081]

Tax all religions now !!!!!! Follow the money to the core of corruption. No oversight of Church money is an invitation to corruption.

[@austincolyer1977]

@@jonathannagela2130 They don't spend it, did you watch the video?

[@tykiisel8801]

This is shameful. Thank you for reporting this. Churches should pay taxes and deduct charitable donations like everyone else.

[@StarSystemAndromeda]

Exactly!!!

[@HusseinDoha]

​@@StarSystemAndromeda Nothing burger!! Specially the US operations of the LDS church. Of course the church will be an aggressive investor to serve the donations of givers and enlarging the endowments. Crazy that he thinks the Church should just spend tomorrow what it received yesterday. BTW, I'm not a Mormon. I'm just a guy who admires this church's excellent work for their own members, and society as large.

[@mikemann1960]

​@Alcyoneus Demons don't like your response 😂. I always ask this question: What do God want / need money? Those who like they're unearned gains relish sitting atop looking down on others to justify their evil doings.

[@andrewchaney2938]

​@Hussein Doha I agree that being financially prudent is a good thing. That's not the problem here. The specific problem here is that the Mormon Church broke the law to avoid paying capital gains taxes on an investment fund that isn't being used for charitable purposes. The moral problem is that the Church tells its members to pay tithing before paying bills, debts, or even feeding their children, all while hoarding vast wealth and hiding it from those same church members. To me, that is morally repugnant and antithetical to the teachings of Jesus, who they supposedly worship.

[@stefanc5048]

@@HusseinDoha you're delusional. 150 billions and you think that's "spending tomorrow"??? They haven't spent what they should have spent since the day they started collecting.